Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Robotics Team

16 Photos

Article and photos by Barbara Haddock Taylor

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute has a champion Robotics Team, “where it’s cool to be a geek,” according to team founder and advisor Ron Hoge, the Poly art teacher. The team has competed in local, statewide, national and international competitions with great success.

On Sunday, the team will be competing again in the BMore “VEX Nothing But Net” Tournament at the Baltimore Robotics Center.

Twenty students and five robots, all of which were built and programmed by the students, will be playing a game on a 12 X 12 foot foam mat, surrounded by a sheet-metal and lexan perimeter. There are 104 balls that teams can score into goals. They can also score points for elevating their robots above various heights.

Students are using physics, mathematics, computer programming, digital prototyping and design as well as forging strong friendships with other team members. Each active participant in the robotics team is guaranteed a $5000 scholarship at Capitol Technology University in Laurel.

"Cool to be a Geek" from Baltimore Sun's The Darkroom on Vimeo.